Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy, The Hunger Games, hits the big screen on March 23rd. The young adult novels are set in a post-apocalyptic world where the citizens of Panem (what used to be North America) live in twelve different districts. Each year they are forced to send two teenage

The bottom of Triple Falls at DuPont State Recreational Forest is a great place to channel the spirit of Katniss Everdeen, heroine of "The Hunger Games." The film adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel was filmed at the forest and other sites in North Carolina.

tributes to the Capital City for a fight to the death called the Hunger Games. These Games were instituted as punishment against the Districts for rising up against the Capital long ago. Katniss Everdeen is the main character who lives in District 12, one of the poorest districts, and when her sister is chosen as a tribute, Katniss volunteers in her place. The story follows Katniss, Peeta Mellark (the other tribute from District 12), and several others.

With the launch of the first movie, excitement is already building for the Hunger Games and it’s anticipated to be even more popular than the Twilight Series. Cast Members include Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Liam Hensworth, Woody Harrelson and Lenny Kravitz. As an added bonus for those of us that live in the Carolina’s, the Hunger Games had several filming locations in North Carolina. From Charlotte as the Capital City to DuPont Forest where the Games are held, you can follow in the footsteps of Katniss and Peeta and get a glimpse into the Hunger Games.

Charlotte

Charlotte serves as the backdrop of the Capital City. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Knight Theater is where the opening ceremonies of the Games are held.

Knight Theater in Charlotte, part of Blumenthal Performing Arts. The 1,191-seat performing arts venue became a "Hunger Games" set for the interview scenes with outlandishly dressed extras playing the audience of Capitol residents. Bill Russ — VisitNC.com

DuPont Forest

If you’ve ever visited Bridal Veil Falls, Triple Falls or High Falls in DuPont State Forest then you will be able to spot these during the Games. Many of the scenes filmed in the arena, including the pond and fireball sequences were filmed here.

The bottom of Triple Falls at DuPont State Recreational Forest became a key backdrop for Arena scenes in "The Hunger Games." Bill Russ — VisitNC.com

Shelby

Several warehouses off of South Lafayette Street in Shelby were used for the Reaping, the Hob, and other District twelve sites.

Warehouse space near the heart of Shelby was called into service for the Reaping and Hob scenes in "The Hunger Games." Shops and restaurants did brisk business with cast and crew members during their stay in the "Pleasant City." Bill Russ — VisitNC.com

Hildebran

The abandoned Henry River Mill Village is now on private property but you can get a glimpse of where the Seam and the Mellark family bakery were filmed from the road. Take Exit 119 from I-40.

Filmmakers found a ready-made set for "The Hunger Games" at the abandoned Henry River Mill Village in Hildebran. The old company store became the Mellark family bakery in District 12. Margo Metzger — VisitNC.com

Blue Ridge Parkway

Check out the Craggy Pinnacle Trail at the North Fork Reservoir to see the lake beside the Cornucopia and where the Games’ bloodiest action scenes were filmed.

Pisgah National Forest

Many of the pre-Games scenes of Gale and Katniss were filmed in the Coleman Boundary (aka Big Ivy) and the Lower Douglas Falls area.

Want more? Go to the VisitNC.com to discover more filming locations and information. They’ve even put together a four day itinerary that fans can follow. It points out where some of the stars and crew stayed, where they ate, stores they frequented and activities they took part in after a long day of filming.

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About the Author

Sherry Jackson’s love of travel came at a young age. Her family would load up the car on the weekend, pick a destination and set off to explore. She has traversed thru jungles, snorkeled the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and wandered the streets of Paris, always searching for her next adventure. Her articles have been featured in a variety of outlets including USA Today, Blue Ridge Country, Foothills Spotlight Magazine, Jetsetter, Bootsnall, Gadling, Yahoo, CityRoom, The Simpsonville Sentinel and countless other print and online publications. She owns and maintains four websites (www.seethesouth.com , www.dragonflyventures.com, dvtravels.net and www.rulesforeveryday.com). Sherry is a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA). Her work can be viewed at www.dragonflyventures.com.

The grounds of Asheville, North Carolina’s elegant old Grove Park Inn holds a surprise—a museum which showcases vintage cars in an historic building. Originally built in 1923, the headquarters of the Antique Car Museum was home to Biltmore Industries’ weaving shop, where forty looms turned out high-quality homespun cloth. In 1953, Biltmore Industries was purchased by Harry Blomberg, owner of one of the first Cadillac dealerships in North Carolina. Harry was an antique car aficionado and in 1966 he converted the old weaving shop to house his collection of vintage autos.